Extend University Hospital's Recycling Program

Dr. Paul Roth,

As the impact of our behavior on the environment becomes more evident, it is time to assess our contribution to this problem. Climate change and other environmental concerns (droughts, contaminated water, air pollution) can negatively impact health. Therefore, we should take measures to impede these pressing threats to health. By reducing air and water pollution, recycling can positively affect the environment.

Currently the University Hospital system recycles only paper waste. However, a substantial amount of the waste generated at the hospital that could be recycled ends up in landfill. Extending the hospital recycling program to include plastics and aluminum would not only reduce waste, but would also send an educational message to our community about this serious issue. Dr. Roth, we urge you to prioritize a plastics and aluminum recycling program for the University Hospital system.

Implementing such a recycling program will be quite easy. The University of New Mexico already has in place a recycling program inclusive of plastics and aluminum. Funding has already been secured to purchase 12 fire marshal-approved receptacles. The Environmental Services department has already committed to supply liners for these receptacles. And the UNM Recycling Program has already agreed to collect the recycling waste from these receptacles weekly. Thus, the groundwork is complete and there is little standing in the way of such an initiative.

The University Hospital is the premier health center in the state and our community turns to us as an example to emulate. Yet the hospital has been sluggish to adopt an adequate recycling program. What message does this send to the community? It is imperative that we set an example and take the final steps to implement a meaningful recycling program throughout the hospital. Dr. Roth, as Executive Vice President for Health Sciences and Dean of the School of Medicine, you have the power to see this initiative is executed.

We, the undersigned, support the practice of recycling as a means of reducing the waste we generate and respecting the community we live and work in. While we acknowledge the hospital recycles paper, this is not sufficient. As a step toward a healthier community and planet, we insist the University Hospital extend its recycling efforts to include plastics and aluminum.